HENDERSON, Ky. (Aug. 7, 2023) – Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival is set to return for its 37th year on Aug. 11-12 in Audubon Mill Park on the downtown Henderson riverfront. This year’s lineup is chock-full of cheerful picking, family-friendly activities, food vendors, folklife demonstrations, and special events. As always, admission into the festival is free.
The festival, recognized as one of the longest-running free Bluegrass festivals in the country and hosted by regional Bluegrass favorite Kings Highway, will kick off at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11 with an opening performance by Cecil Jackson & Dry Ridge. Performances will continue on the stage through 10 p.m. that evening.
Festivities begin again on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 8 a.m. with the annual Breakfast in the Park fundraiser, featuring live music by Maggie Hollis and brunch by Hometown Roots. Tickets are available onsite and include an all-you-can-eat breakfast until 10:30 a.m. On-stage performances will begin immediately following the breakfast’s conclusion with Caney Creek Gang kicking day two of the festival off and will last until 10 p.m. as David Peterson & 1946 closes out the 2023 festival.
The annual Fox on the Run 5K, benefiting the Father Bradley Shelter for Women & Children, kicks off on Friday evening at 7 p.m.
The family favorite folklife portion of the festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and includes traditional games and activities, artisan vendors, a petting zoo, and unique demonstrations, from butter churning and basket making to blacksmithing and woodworking. Demonstrations are interactive and educational, often reflective of a simpler time when families shared stories through music and unique skills from generation to generation.
Platinum sponsors for this year’s event include the Beaven Family Foundation and the Henderson Tourist Commission.
For a complete schedule of events, visit bluegrassinthepark.com.
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